Overture Center spokesman Rob Chappell says the troubled arts venue will cut some of its 160 staffers by the end of the year. No word yet on how many people will lose their jobs.

11.20 Thursday

Michael Torphy dies at age 78. Torphy was a judge in Dane County for 30 years, where he presided over several famous cases, including the 1980 murder trial of Barbara Hoffman, a young massage parlor worker convicted of killing one of her customers.

WISC-TV weatherman Jeff Smith, 44, is charged with incest regarding an incident with a young child in 2007; the station, Ch. 3 in Madison, promptly suspends him. He says the charges are completely false.

The Dane County Board approves a salary increase of just 1% for the Dane County executive, instead of the 7% raise that had been proposed. In 2009, the county executive will be paid $110,262. Supv. Robin Schmidt, of Monona, says the 1% raise matches the 1% cost-of-living adjustment the county offered its social service agencies for next year.

11.21 Friday

Brent Wray, 24, the son of Madison Police Chief Noble Wray, is arrested in Milwaukee on suspicion of stealing thousands of dollars from the Betty Brinn Children's Museum, where he worked.

A recount confirms that Republican Keith Ripp of Lodi won the 47th Assembly seat. He beat his challenger, Trish O'Neil of Columbus, by 37 votes.

11.22 Saturday

A carbon monoxide leak forces the temporary evacuation of residents and customers from a building in the 200 block of State Street. The building houses Espresso Royale Café, Paul's Club and eight apartments. Firefighters fail to identify the source of the leak.

11.23 Sunday

Josezette Crump of Madison turns herself in to police, after allegedly shooting and injuring a male acquaintance in Fitchburg two days before.

11.24 Monday

UW-Madison releases letters from two parents that sparked an investigation into hazing incidents by members of the UW Marching Band. One parent, who was not identified, says his or her son was forced to attend drinking parties, sit in a bus bathroom for hours and told to show up at Camp Randall at 4:15 a.m. The UW also releases a memo by Associate Dean of Students Kevin Helmkamp, which reveals students were deprived of sleep and engaged in sexual games on the bus.

About 90 people attend a public hearing on bus fares before Madison's Transit and Parking Commission. Most oppose raising Metro's cash fares by 50 cents, to $2. The commission will make a decision at its Dec. 9 meeting.